Dr Lukman AbdurRaheem bows out as the third Amir, TMC

New Amir to emerge on Monday at Annual Congress

Varsity Don, Dr Lukman Abdur-Raheem will be bowing out as the third Amir of The Muslim Congress (TMC) on December 28, 2020, after eleven eventful years of meritorious and rewarding work with one of Nigeria’s leading Islamic organisations.

Muslim News findings reveal that the glorious exit of Dr AbdurRaheem as the head of TMC will usher in a new set of Executive Council, who will steer the affairs of the organisation for the next five administrative years.

Dr. AbdurRaheem, an Assistant Professor at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, will formally hand over the mantle of leadership to the new Amir at the 27th Annual Congress holding on Monday, December 28, 2020 at the Da’wah Centre, Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria.

Muslim News gathered that in line with COVID-19 guidelines, a limited number of guests and dignitaries are expected to grace the event, while members and the general public would be able to join the proceedings virtually. The programme starts 10am (Nigeria time).

The Amir expressed appreciation to Allah who assisted his administration to accomplish what he described as a “big responsibility”, with varying members of the cabinet with whom he worked within the span of eleven years.

He said, in an interview with our correspondent, that leadership is a trust and a big responsibility, stressing that, “When you conclude your tenure without hitches or problems, you naturally feel relieved and thankful to Allah. Mine is not different, I feel happy and pray that Allah accepts the little we did as rewarding acts of worship. Alhamdulillahi!”

Dr AbdurRaheem noted that he met The Muslim Congress (TMC) in a very good state, with sound legacy from his predecessor, Engineer Abdul Ganiyy Sadiq Atitebi in 2009, stating that, “On assumption of office, we raised the bar through transformational leadership.

“Alhamdulillah today, we are leaving TMC in a better state. I expect those coming after us to raise the bar beyond the present state. Leadership is procedurally incremental and functionally a continuum. We serve as volunteers to earn the favour of Allah,” he noted.

Findings by Muslim News showed that the hallmark of the outgoing administration are: strengthened organisation with a reviewed/amended constitution, sound professional recruitments, stakeholders engagement, formal registration of the existing and newly-created NGOs, quality assurance & standardization of programmes, media visibility and public engagement, social services, governmental relationships, harmonious relations with sister organisations and sustainability, among others.

Talking about challenges, the former co-Chairman, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Lagos State said, “We faced monumental challenges such as paucity of funding for programmes, inability to complete worthwhile projects, abandoned vision on cable TV and community radio, suspension of Muharram Get-Together, outreach in the Northern and South-East regions of Nigeria, unprovoked attacks from sister Islamic groups and many others.

The TMC Amir advised the incoming executive council to organise a retreat and set out a clear strategic plan for the next 10 years, with a view to incorporating the challenges and other objectives left undone by the outgoing administration.

According to him, “Our programmes, projects and activities should be re-evaluated, re-engineered and re-focused in the light of the changing world and technologies without forgetting the needs and expectations of the multiple stakeholders.”

Asked on his next plan — especially in terms of religious activism, Dr. AbdurRaheem stated that he joined TMC with commitment to a tripod, saying, “I seek to continue to contribute my quota to nation building through the same tripod of service to humanity, mentoring the next generation and preaching Islam.”

The Muslim Congress was formally established in the blessed month of Ramadan, 1994 by a set of visionary leaders with high pedigree Alhaji AbdurRazaq Abdussalam, famously known as Abu Baba emerged the pioneer Amir (president) of the nascent society and served for eleven years till 2005.

The formative goal of the society, Muslim News was reliably informed, was: “Heeding the Call of Allah to revive and fix the decadent society in Nigeria.”

The agenda behind the formation of TMC are five — namely, Pristine Islamic Education, conscience nurtured by truth, upright and balanced personality, benefit yourself and others and worship the Creator and not the creatures.

The five-point agenda above was framed in compliance with Allah’s injunction that says: “Thus, We have made you a justly balanced community, that you will be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger will be a witness over you.” (Qur’an 2:143).

Since its formation, the binding force between the leadership and membership has been the desire to work together in the cause of Allah under the following organs that have been used in transforming the vision into practical and impactful reality:

The organs are; Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI), Centre for Global Peace Initiatives (CGPI), Halal Certification Authority (HCA), Global Centre for Leadership & Human Development Lagos (GCLHDL), Noble Heart Ventures (NHV),The Congress Professionals (TCP), The Congress Investment Club (TCIC), TCIC Synergy Limited and International Muslim Cemetery (IMC).

MILESTONES

1. Organised eleven (11) editions of the National Islamic Training Programme (NITP).

2. Standardization of routine and periodic programmes.

3. Publication of TMC Constitution.

4. Adherence to rule of law and constitutionalism.

5. Blueprint for The Congress Professionals (TCP).

6. Creation of Professionals’ Camp.

7. Organised eight (8) editions of Muharram Get-Together (MGT)

8. Creation of Website for and deployment of ICT for ITP registration.

9. Creation of Facebook Page for TMC.

10. Creation of Online Tezkiyyah Workshop materials.

11. Creation of Online Khutbah (Sermons) in four languages namely Arabic, Yoruba, English and Hausa.

12. Decentralization of NITP.

13. Development of a five-Year blueprint for NITP.

14. Creation of TMC in the Republic of Benin with full Executive Council.

15. Construction of TMC Mosque in the Republic of Benin.

16. Creation of TMC in Niger State.

17. Creation of TMC in Ondo State.

18. Creation of TMC in Rivers State.

19. Sustained radio programmes at state level.

20. Media visibility with press releases and appearances on radio and television.

21. Better rapport with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

22. Inclusion of TMC by NSCIA into its GPC and EMC.

23. Commendation by NSCIA’s scribe on the occasion of TMC’s 20th Anniversary programmes.

24. Recognition of TMC by the National Conscience Party.

25. Rebranding of Congress Guard.

26. Attraction of corporate sponsorship for the Amir’s Cup.

27. Organised two editions of the Annual National Qur’an Competition.

28. Publication of Adhkaar Book.

29. Incorporation of Noble Hearts Entertainment Company in October 2012.

30. Free reprint of a book on Mosque management.

31. Ten years of producing The Congress Souvenir for delegates at the ITP.

32. Incorporation of Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI).

33. Creation of website for Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI).

34. Donation of 1 million naira as relief fund for the Somalia people by HCFI.

35. Donation for the welfare of prisoners in Nigeria through HCFI in collaboration Muslim Pharmacists’ Association of Nigeria (MPAN).

36. Establishment of medical outreaches/caravans in most states in the South-West.

37. Incorporation of Centre for Global Peace Initiatives (CGPI).

38. Organised five (5) editions of National Essay Competition.

39. Establishment of Annual Trek-for-Life Programme.

40. Organised two (2) editions of the Annual Spelling Bee Competition.

41. Printing of eleven (11) editions of TMC Calendar.

42. Organised ten (10) editions of the National Leadership Workshop.

43. Organised seven (7) editions of Khuruj Feesebilillah.

44. Weekly Friday Khutbah

45. Content development and co-ordination of television programmes.

46. Content development and co-ordination of radio programmes.

47. Yearly educating and impacting Ramadan programmes.

48. Support for citizens through COVID-19 Alliance with other Islamic organisations.

49. Several health interventions through HCFI.

50. Co-ordinated eleven (11) editions of the Annual October Special Lecture.

51. Seventeen (17) editions of the State of the Nation Address.

52. Several Halal certifications for foods and other products of major food companies and eateries.

53. Establishment of the International Muslim Cemetery (IMC).

54. TMC’s 20th Anniversary Activities.

55. Inauguration of The Congress Imams (TCI) on 9th January, 2016.

56. Launch of a book and TMC’s press releases, That Nigeria May Rise.

57. Creation of Youtube channel for TMC.

58. Creation of Android Mobile App (TMC Da’wah Hub) on Google Play Store.

59. Creation of TMC International with office in Finland.

60. TMC Prayer Book was printed and presented to the members in February 2013.

61. Production of several editions of TMC Tract.

62. Creation of Cultural Demonstrative Club (CDC).

63. Procurement of National Da’wah bus.

64. Inauguration of State Expansion Programme.

65. Prayer for Nigeria was organised in May 2017.

66. Participated in the Civil Society Coalition Against Coups and Militarization of Politics in Africa held on 15th August, 2013.